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Drivers Receive Final Instructions Ahead of '500'

May 24, 2014 | By Verizon IndyCar Series

Drivers participating in the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race received final instructions and awards Saturday in the public drivers’ meeting, the final activity at the track before the race on Sunday

The 98th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at Noon (ET). The race will be broadcast live on ABC and the IMS Radio Network, including XM and Sirius channels 211 and indycar.com, with pre-race shows beginning at 11 a.m.

2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan and KV Racing Technology team owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser each accepted a “Baby Borg” trophy from Joe Fadool, president and general manager of Morse Tec Borg Warner, for being the winning driver and car owner at the 96th Indianapolis 500.

The Baby Borg is a miniature replica of the famed Borg-Warner Trophy, which bears the bas-relief likeness, name and average speed of every Indianapolis 500 winner.

Kanaan, Kalkhoven and Vasser received winning driver and car owner’s ring from Gary Garfield, CEO and President of Bridgestone Americas. Firestone also awarded its inaugural Legends of the Indianapolis 500 Award to Mario Andretti. A $25,000 donation will made in Andretti’s name to the Fund to Benefit Children and Youth, which provides services to abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families in the Lehigh Valley near Andretti’s home in Nazareth, Pa..

Deb Osza, general manager, Milk Promotion Services of Indiana presented the new “Winners Drink Milk” plaque honoring Louis Meyer to Kanaan for his victory last year.

Dario Franchitti, who will drive the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Pace Car and Jim Nabors, who will sing Back Home Again in Indiana for the final time, were given Indianapolis 500 starter’s ring by Herff Jones.

Ken Keltner of Herff Jones, also presented special rings to all 33 drivers.

Ellen Bireley, the director of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, was presented with the Andy Granatelli Unsung Hero Award.

Beaux Barfield, Verizon IndyCar Series race director, concluded the driver’s meeting by discussing race rules and guidelines with the drivers.

Shambarger receives Brawner Award

Mark Shambarger, chief mechanic for the No. 98 BHA/BBM with Curb-Agajanian car, was the recipient of the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award sponsored by Firestone Racing.

The Brawner Award has been presented annually since 1987 to the Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic who “exemplifies the mechanical and scientific creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication, enthusiasm and expertise” of its namesake. Brawner was chief mechanic for 51 race victories and six Indy car national champions.

Of note

Ivy Tech Community College is an associate sponsor on the No. 22 Brantley Gilbert/Comfort Revolution Dreyer & Reinbold-Kingdom Racing with Chip Ganassi Racing car for the 500 Mile Race. Ivy Tech Community College is the state's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. … Team owner Chip Ganassi will be presented the inaugural Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for outstanding contribution to motorsports Aug. 7 at the International Motor Racing Research Center awards dinner in Corning, N.Y.

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Drivers Receive Final Instructions Ahead of '500'

May 24, 2014 | By Verizon IndyCar Series
Drivers participating in the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race received final instructions and awards Saturday in the public drivers’ meeting, the final activity at the track before the race on Sunday

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